Unique among books on the whistle and Celtic music, this book takes the role of a personal tutor. It explains in detail the peculiarities of the instrument, the ancient modal scales the Irish tunes are based on, and offers a results-oriented program for quickly developing ability. As well it offers a practical method for developing breathing skills, something few books discuss. But what makes this book truly unique is the discussion of mnemonic techniques and analytical listening skills, which would make it an excellent resource for both parents and teachers. The author explains a simple, straightforward method of internalizing the old dance tunes of the session repertoire based on understanding the music's structure and the use of mnemonic cues.

Understanding The Tin Whistle

Introduction 

How to Use This Book 

Choosing a Whistle 

An Important Clue 

The Fipple 

The Body 

Robert Clarke 

Initiating Tones 

Holding the Whistle 

All About the Fingerings 

Fingering Chart–Low Octave 

Fingering Chart–Upper Octave 

Octave Drill 

Understanding C Natural 

The G Scale 

Practicing Scales 

About the Modes 

The Modes of D 

D Modes Chart 

The Modes of G 

G Modes Chart 

Shrill Notes and Sensitive Ears 

Practice 

The Learning Curve 

A Most Beneficial Drill 

The Music 

Impressions on the Memory 

Andy of Mayberry 

What’s in a Name? 

Immersion 

Let’s Learn a Tune 

Analytical Listening 

Parts 

Primes 

The First Note 

About Written Music 

Developing Breathing Skills 

About Learning Tunes from Notation 

Putting it in Your Fingers 

Ornamentation 

The Slow Aire 

The Sound Model 

Rhythmic Variation 

Melodic Variation 

Appendix  

Strange Keys and Half-holing; 

Tunable Whistles 

Appendix  

Hornpipes 

Appendix  

Pointers on Notation 

Appendix  

References and Recommended Reading 

Appendix  

Furthering Your Musicianship and Sessions 

Acknowledgements 

About the Author